Mail-chute.



A. L. PEAGOOK.

MAIL GHUTE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 8. 1913.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

3 SHEETS- SIiEET'Z' 7 IIIA'IIIIIIIIIIIIII l A. L. PEAOOOK. 'MAI'L CHUTE.

. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 8. 1913. 1,1 22,996. I

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

5141mm box I v 4.21a

ANGUS L. PEACOCK, or DENVER, coLoRAno.

MAIL-CHUTE.

Application filed October 8, 1913.

I T all whomit may concern Be it known that I, ANGUS L. PEACOCK,

a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county ofDenver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Mail-Chutes; and I do declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification. My invention relates to improvements in mail chutesof the class employed. in buildings to allow letters to pass from theupper stories to a Government mail box on the first floor or at thebottom of the chute.

My improved chute is composed of a series of superposed channel sect1onswhich are engaged at the top and bottom by securing bands, ceiling andfloor collars being employed for connecting the chute channel sectionsat the top and bottom and continuing the channel through the floor andbe tween the regular channel sections above .and below the floor.

The chute channel sections are provided with forward extensions which asillustrated in the drawing, are laterally offset from the forward edgesof the sides of the sections, movable panels being in engagement withthese offsets and secured in place by members which are placed withinthe securing bands and held by suitable locking means, these .lockingdevices engaging the molding of the panels in the rear and forwardparts'of the securing bands in front. The extension housing is open in frontto permit access to the securing devices, whereby they may be readilyremoved when unlocked, thiis loosening the panels and permitting them tobe moved whenever occasion may require; These securing devices areplaced where openings are provided for the introduction of mail to thechute, are of modified form and constitute combined securing devices,and schedule card holders, each securing device in this event carrying aletter guide and being equipped at one extremity with an 'opening.These. combined panel securing devices, schedule card holders and letterguides are reversible, whereby they may be inverted when it is desiredto close,

the mail chute against the introduction of Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

Serial N 0. 794,009. mail. In this event, the opening is placed at thebottom and the part which formerly constituted the letter guide becomesa guard to prevent the introduction of mail from below.

The bands for connecting the chute channel sections, together with themeans cooperating therewith for securing the panels 111 place constitutean important feature of permost floor and a part of the chute extendingfrom the ceiling downwardly on the next floor below. Fig. 2 may beconsidered a continuation of Fig. 1 and commencing at the lowerextremity of Fig. 1 and extending downwardly to the mail box on thefirst floor. Fig. 3 is a detail view illustrating the connectedextremities of two sections of the chute with one of the securing. bandsin place, the other features, however, being omitted. Fig. 4 is a viewillus trating a portion of the chute with one of the panels unlocked andtilted forwardly within the extension housing. Fig. 5 is a detail viewon a larger scale, illustrating the portion of the chute where mail isinserted, the position of the combined securing device, schedule cardholder, and letter guide being reversed or inverted to close the chute.Fig.6 is a'sectional detail view of the combined panel securing device,schedule card holder, and letter guide shown in its normal position.Fig. 7 is an elevation of the same viewed in the direction of arrow 7,Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a cross section taken on the line 88, Fig. 2. Fig. 9is a similar section taken on the line 9-9, Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a topplan view of one of the securing bands. This view could be'obtained bylooking in the direction of arrow 10, Fig. 1, assuming that all partsexcept the band and T-bars are omitted, the latter being shown inhorizontal section, and the entire view on a larger scale. Fig. 11 is a.horizontal section taken on the line 11-11, Fig. 2, shown on a largerscale. Fig. 12 is a vertical section cutting a chute base,

lower part of a housing section, one of the T-bars being shown inelevation and other parts being omitted. This view is on the same scaleas Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 13 isa top plan view of a chute base shown indetail. This view couldbe obtained by looking in the direction of arrow13, Fig.1, all other parts except the base and chute floor thimble beingomitted. This view is also on the same scale as Figs; 1 and 2.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate the mail box on the first floor of thebuildin and 6 a collar or band which is secured t ereto, the same havinga depending part 7, which passes throu h the opening in the top of thebox'fi. his" box collar or band has a rearwardly extending flange 8which" by means of angle members 9, which are" secured to the lowerextremities of upright T-bars 10, is attached to the said T-bars andalso tothe top of the box 5, vertically disp'osed bolts 12 beingemployed and passing through registering openings formed in thehorizontal part ofthe angle'iron, the flange 8 and the top of the box;the part 7 of the band or collar' 6 extends below the flange 8 while apart 13 extends above theisaid flange and is provided with ashortforwardly extending projection 14'which engages the rear part ofthe lowermost chute channel section 15, the said band or collar beingopen to receive the lower extremity of such section. This collar or bandis further provided with a forwardly extending horizontal flange 16which extends the entire width of the chute in front, and from whichprojects a vertically disposed part 17. At the inner extremity of theflange 16 there is a short upwardly projecting part 18 which extends theentire width of the chute, the bottom of the lowermost section beingslotted on opposite sides to receive this part 18.

The chute section 15 is open in front as shown at 19, this opening beingclosed when the parts are assembled by a panel 20 which consists of aglass or transparent member 21 set into a surrounding frame 22. Thispanel is'held in place at the bottom by an angle member 23 whi'chisdropped into'the band or collar 6 in front between the art 17 and thelower part of the panel. he frame of the (panel is provided with anupwardly curve part24 which embraces the upwardly projecting part 18 ofthe'member 6 between the opposite sides of the chute channel section.The body of the chute channel section (see Fig. 8) is provided withlaterally extending ofi's'ets'. 25 from which an extension 26 is carriedforwardly and bent inwardly as shown at 27. The panel 20 engages theoffsets 25' and is crowded tightly against themby the angle piece 23which is secured in place-by means of a locking device 28, consistingofa rotary barrel 29 adapted to receive a key passed through an opening 30formed in the part- 17 of the member 6. The inner extremity of thisbarrel is provided with a disk 31 with which are pivotally connectedlocking rods 32. The inner extremitiesof the rods areconnected with thedisk as shown at 33, while their outer extremities pass through guides"34 (see Fig. 7) and when in the locking position, extend throughopenings 35 formed in the sides of the extension housing of the chute.From this it will-be understood that the parts 26 and 27 ofthe chutesection are located forwardly of the body thereof or the part containingthe channel 36 (see Fig. 8). When the locking device 23 is'removed fromthe space within this extension housing, the lower part of the panel isreleased. The part of the member 6 extending above the flanges 8 and 16,passes entirely around the chute section, both the body thereof and theextension housing, and extends entirely across the' housing 0 ening infront as shown'inFig'. 8. Wh'i'e this view is taken throu h the'chutejust above a letter opening 3 it illustrates the position of the paneland" the shape of the chute, both as to its body and forward housing'extension, regardless of the height or position of the chute sections. r

Asillustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, there are two chute channelsections 15 below the floor 38. The top ofthe lower section 15 andthe'bottonr of the upper section 15, both engage an intermediatesecuring band which is similar in construction and function to the bandor collar 6 except that by virtue of its position, it is arranged toengage the upper extremity of one chute section and the lower extremityof the other section. 'This' securing band which I will designate in'its entirety by the numeral 39 is of the construction shown in Fig. 10when seen in top or plan view. It extends entirely around the upperextremity of one chute section and the lower extremity of the other, andis provided with upper and lower shoulders 40 and 41, which the'lowerextremity of one section, and the upper extremity of the other section,respectively engage. These shoulders extend across the rear part of theband and forwardly to the'transverse member 42, which is smallest at thetop and curves downwardly, on its rear side, being considerably thickerat the bottom, the 'object of the curvature 'of this surface being toprevent possible obstruction of the passage. The lower extremity of theupper chute member is provided with-a recess 43 formed in the sidesthereof, and the upper extremity of the lower" chute member" with arecess 44"; which respectively receive" the upper and lower extremitiesof the part 42 of the band. These recesses are illustrated in Fig. 3,where everything is omitted except the band and the upper and lowerextremities of the chute. The upper extremity of the chute panel 20 isprovided with a rightangleinteriorly-located notch 45 which engages theadjacent corner of the part/l2 of the securing band between the the samegeneral construction as thesaid band except that they are open in frontbetween the fianges 27 as heretofore explained.

Between the upper and lower extremities of the two panels 20 and thetransverse front part 48 of the securing band 39 is located atransversely arranged channel bar 49 which fits closely within theforward housing extension of the chute and also fills the space betweenthe forward part of the securing band and the panels, the same asillustrated in Fig. 8 except that in the last named View there is theletter opening37, while thesecuring band 89 is an intermediate band andits two rearwardly extending parts 50 are uninterrupted and fit closelyagainst the upper and lower extremities of the respective panels 20.This securing band 39 is provided at the rear with two upwardlyprojecting lugs 51 which are perforated to register with correspondingperforations formed in the T-bars 10 (see Fig. 10) to receive fasteningdevices as bolts or screws 52. The channel bar 49 is locked in theposition described, by alocking device 28 composed of abarrel 29, a disk31 and locking rods 32,'as heretofore described when referring to thelocking mechanism of the angle member 23, the lock being operated bymeans.

of a key inserted in an opening 30 formed in the forward part 48 of theband.

The upper extremity of the chute section 15 engages a ceiling securingband which 1s substantially of the same construction as the band 39, butwill for convenience, be referred to by a different reference character,being designated in its entirety by the numeral 53. This band receivesthe upper extremity of the chute section 15, only, while a steelceilingcollar 54 enters it from above and engages a shoulder 55. Thechannel bar em ployed in connection with the band 53 is designated bythe numeral 56, but is substantially the same as the corresponding bar49 except that its upper channel arm 57 engages the .top ofthetransverse part 58 of the band. A locking device 28 is also employedin connectionwith the channel bar 56. The upper extremity of the ceilingthimble 54 enters an opening 59 therefor in the bottomof a ceilingcollar 60 which is secured to the T bars 10 through the medium of anangle bracket 61, fastening bolts 62 being employed to secured thebracket to the T-bars and also to the ceiling collar. The upperextremity of the ceiling collar engages the lower surface, of the floor38 or the ceiling, angle brackets 63 *being connected with the upperextremity of this collar and adjustable horizontally, to closely engagethe floor thimble 65 which passes through an opening'formed in the floorand through which passes a chute floor thimble 64, the upper arms 'ofthe angle brackets 63 being located between the chute floor thimble andthe floor thimble. The lower extremity of the floorthimble is providedwith outwardly extending flanges 66, while its upper extremity projectsabove the upper surface of the floor and is surrounded by a floorthimble band 67 which is provided with short tongues 68 which bearagainst the adjacent faces of the T- bars 10. This band 67 is alsoprovided with forwardly projecting lugs 69 which are connected withprojections 7 0 formed on a chute base 71, the connected parts beingprovided with openings to receive fastening bolts 72, the openings inone of the connected parts being elongated as shown at 73 to permithorizontal adjustment.

The chute base 71 surrounds the entire chute structure adjacent thefloor of the second story of the building, and in this capacity engagesthe T-bars 10 in the rear. Its upper extremity is provided with anopening 74 through which the upper end of. the chute floor thimblepasses, the latter being turned down in the rear and sides as shown at75 to engagement with the top of the chute base, infront of the T-bars10 which also pass through openings formed in the top of the base (seeFig. 13).

The chute channel section Iii-immediately above the base 71 enters thetop of the chute floor thimble 64, and is recessed as shown at 76 toreceive the upper edge of the front side of the thimble 64 (see Fig.12.) The chute section 15'is substantially of the same construction asthe other chute sections designated by the same reference character, andthe panel 20 is arranged and held in place in the same manner as theother panels belonging to the corresponding chute sections. The lowerpart of the panel frame projects into the chute base a short'distance asshown at 77, the opening in the top of the base be ing large enough forthe purpose. The forward part or the housing extension of the chutesection, rests on the top of the chute base forward. of the panel.

The upper extremity of the chute section engages a securing band 78 ofspecial construction, but which performs the same function withreferenceto two chute channel sections 15 as the band 39 heretoforedescribed, since the upper extremity of the lower chute section, and thelower extremity of the upper chute section engage shoulders 79 and 80formed on the band, the band being secured to the T-bars 10 by suitablefas tening devices 81. This'band 78 is equipped with a transverse part82 which projects upwardly into the space surrounded by the band, andcorresponds, to some extent, with the part 42 of the band 39. This part82 has its rear face beveled and cotiperates with a letter guide 83which issecured to a combined panel locking device and schedule cardholder 84, the latter being shown in detail in Fig. The band 78 is alsoprovided with an inclined part 85 which extends downwardly into thechute opening from the upper edgeof the base and is transverselyarranged, about midway between the front and rear walls of the base.This part 85 is arranged parallel or approximately parallel with theletter-guide 83 and the rear surface of the part 82, whereby letters,entering the opening 37 formed in the inwardly projecting flange 87 ofthe device 84:, are guided downwardly into the chute channel.

The band 78 is illustrated in topplan view in Fig.8, of the drawing, asis also the device 84, which serves to' lock the two adjacent panels 20in place, the same as the devices employed in connection with thesecuring bands 6, 39 and 53 heretofore described, and is secured inposition by means of a lock 28 which may be of the same constructionheretofore described. The device '84 has its front face recessed toreceive a transparent plate 88 which is held in place by the upper andlower parts of the front face 89 of the band, the front part of thelatter being provided with an opening 90- through which the transparentplate 88 is exposed. Between this plate and'the bottom of the recess islocated a schedule card 91 or a card upon which information is givenwith reference to the time when mail is collected from the box withwhich the chute is connected. The upper extremity of the chute section15 immediately below the band 78, and the lower extremity of the upperchute section 15, are recessed to receive the bottom of the part 85 ofthe band 78, these recesses being similar in construction to therecesses 44: and 43 illustrated in Fig. 3.

When it is desired to close the chute against the introduction of mail,the part 84 is inverted and in this event position illustrated in Fig.5, the opening 37 being lowermost and the guide 85 so positioned abovethe opening as to prevent the introduction of mail to the chute.

Further description of the construction, so far as a complete chute isconcerned for a building of any height, is mere duplicationConsequently,

occupies the with the exception of the portion of the chute whichextends into the uppermost story of the building. For instance, theconstruction shown in'Fig. 1 may be considered a continuation of theconstruction shown in Fig. 2. In other words, it may be assumed that thelower extremity of Fig.1 is a continuation 'of the'upper extremity of,Fig. 2. the construction from the lower extremity of Fig. 1 upwardly isthe same as the construction beginning with the securing band 39 in Fig.2, and continuing upwardly until the band 78 is reached. In the place ofthe band 78, in' the'portio'n'of the chute which extends above theuppermost floor of the building (see upper part of Fig. 1), a-band 92 isemployed, the said band being similar to the band 78 except that it isclosed at the top as shown at 93 to cover the upper extremity of thechute channel. In this event a device 84, substantially of the sameconstruction as that shown in connection with the band 78, is employed,with the-letter opening 37, being located forwardly of the forwardextremity of the top closure93 of the band. The front part 94 of theband 92 is provided with an opening 95 to permit the reading of thematter on the schedule card, and in this respect performing the samefunction as the opening 90 of the band 78.

From the foregoing description, the use as well as the manner ofconstructingmy improved mail chute, will be readily understood.

It is assumed that in the construction of the chute,'the work willproceed from the mail box 5 upwardly, the various parts being superposedand assembledin a manner which will be apparent from the foregoingdescription.

The chute is employed in the same manneras all other chutes for the samepurpose.

That is to say, there is a letter opening on each'fioor of the buildingin which the chute is located, through which the articles to be mailedare introduced, the said articles following the chute downwardly andfinally entering the mail box 5 at the'bottom. In the event that anyportion of thefchute should be obstructed, bythe collection of mailtherein, or for any other reason, any panel may be quickly movedforwardly into the forward housing extension of the chute section, wherethe difficulty occurs. This may be accomplished by removing the lookingdevices from the securing bands and tilting the panel forwardly asillustrated. in Fig. 4 of the drawing. When the panel 20 is in theposition shown in Fig. .4, it may be lifted upwardly indefinitely, thusgiving access to the interior of the chute channel for the removal ofobstructions.

Attention is called to the'fa'ct that applicants construction includinga floor base and a Ceiling collar with which the upright structure asthe T-bars 10 are connected is a very important feature, since by reasonof this construction it becomes practicable to erect the entire chutestructure after the building has been completed. The floor base 71 andthe ceiling collar 60 are provided with openings which receive the T-bars, the collar and base being' freely slidable on the bars until fixedin place.

Attention is called to the fact that in the securing'band 78, the twoparts 82 and 85 may be considered a partition separated or provided withan opening to permit the entrance of the letters or mail introducedthrough the opening 39 at the top. Also the part 82 of the securing band92 (see the top portion of Fig. 1) may be considered a transversepartition whose upper portion is interrupted to allow the mailintroduced at the opening 37 to enter the main chute channel.

Referring to the form of the securing band fastening device providedwith a letter opening and guide, as shown in connection with thesecuring bands 78 and 92, attention is called to the fact that thelocking device 28 is effective for locking purposes whether thefastening device 84: is in the normal or reversed position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A mail chute section having a housing extending forwardly beyond thebody of the section, the section having lateral offsets where its bodyportion merges into the housing extension, whereby the' width of theextension is greater than the body portion.

2. A mail chute section having a housing extending forwardly beyond thebody of the section, the section having lateral offsets where its bodyportion merges into the ex tension, whereby the width of the extensionis greater than the body portion, and a panel located in said extensionand engaging the said offsets at the rear.

3. A mail chute section having a housing extending forwardly beyond thebody of the section, the section having lateral offsets where-its bodyportion merges into the extension, whereby the width of the extension isgreater than the body portion, and a panel located in said extension andengaging the said offsets at the rear, the extension being considerablydeeper from front to rear than the panel.

4. A mail chute section having a housing extending forwardly beyond thebody of the section, the section having lateral offsets where its bodyportion merges into the extension, whereby the width of the extension isgreater than the body portion, a panel located in said extension andengaging the said offsets at the rear, the extension being considerablydeeper from front to rear than the panel, and a band surrounding theextremity of the section and having a securing device located betweenthe forward part of the band and the panel.

'5. A mail chute section having a housing extending forwardly beyond thebody of the section, the section having lateral offsets Where its bodyportion merges into the extension, whereby the width of the extension isgreater than the body portion, a panel located in said extension andengaging the said offsets at the rear, the extension being considerablydeeper from front to rear than the panel, a band surrounding theextremity of. the section and having a securing device located-betweenthe forward part of the band and the panel, and means for locking thesecuring device in place.

6. A mail chute section having a housing extending forwardly beyond thebody of the section, the section having lateral offsets where its bodyportion merges into the extension, whereby the width of the extension isgreater than the body portion, a panel located in said extension andengaging the said offsets at the rear, the extension being considerablydeeper from front to rear than the panel, a band surrounding theextremity of the section and having asecuring device located between theforward part of the band and the panel, and a key operated device forlocking the securing means in place.

7. In a mailchute, the combination of a chute section having a fronthousing extending beyond the body of the section, the structure havinglaterally disposed offsets where the body and housing portions merge,the housing portion' being wider than the body portion, and havinginwardly turned flanges in front spaced to form a front opening, a panelengaging the said offsets, securing bands surrounding the chute sectionextremities and fastening bars interposed between the front parts of thesecuring bands and the panel extremities.

8. The combination of superposed chute sections having front housingportions extending beyond the body of the sections, a securing bandsurrounding the adj acentextremities of said sections, panels locatedwithin the housing portions, which extend forwardly beyond thepanels,and a fastening bar located in front between the band and the adjacentextremities of the chute section panels.

9. A mail chute section having a housing extending forwardly beyond thebody of the section, a band surrounding an extremity of the section andhaving a transverse partition intermediate its forward and rear walls,and a panel for closing the body of the section in front and having itsadjacent extremity recessed to receive the said partition.

10. A mail chute section having a housing extending forwardly beyond thebody of the section, a securing band Surrounding an extremity of thesection and having a part1- tion transversely arranged intermediate itsfront and rear walls, the adjacent extremity of the section beingrecessed to receive said partition. I

11. A mail chute having a housing extending forwardly beyond the body ofthe section, a securing band surrounding an extremity of the section andhaving a partition transversely arranged between its front and rearwalls, the adjacent extremity of the section being recessed on oppositesides, to receive the edge of said partition, and a panel for closingthe body of the section in front and recessed to receive the, adjacentedge of said partition.

'12. A mail chute having a housing extending forwardly beyond thebody-of the section, a securing band surrounding an extremity of thesection and'having a partitiontransversely arranged between itsfront andrear walls, the adjacent extremity of the section being recessed onopposite sides to receive'thc edge of said-partitiom-apanel for closingthe body of the section in front and recessed-toreceive the adjacentedge of said partition, and a fastening device located between thefront-wall of the band and the section, a securing band surrounding theextremity of the section and having .a pa-rtition transversely arrangedintermediate-its front and-rear walls, the said band being shoulderedto'receive the extremity of the section and the latter being recessed toreceive the-adjacent edge of the partition.

l4. A mail chute section havin a housing extending forwardly beyond theody of the section, a securing band surrounding the extremity'of thesection and having a-partition transversely arranged'intermediate itsfront and rear walls, the said band'being shoulderedto receive theextremity of'the section, the latter'being recessed to receivetheadjacent edge. of the partition, a panel for closing the body of thepartition 'in front, the extremity ofthe panel adjacent the'partitionbeing recessed to receive the edge of the same, and a fastening devicelocated between the front wall of'the band andthe adjacent extremity ofthepanel.

15. A mail chute including two .superposed chute sections, a securinband for a connecting the adjacent extremities of .-the

sections, the said band having a partition transverselyarran ed betweenits front and rear walls, the ad acent extremitiesof the sections beingrecessed to receive the.- edges of the; said partition.

16. A mail chute including two superposed chute sections, asecurmg bandfor connecting the adjacent extremities of the sections, the said bandhaving a transverse partition-located between its-front and rear walls,the band being shouldered to' receive the adjacent extremities of thesections and the latter being recessed to receive theedges of the saidpartition.

17. A mail chute including two superposed chute sections, a securingband for connecting the adjacent extremities of the sections, the saidband having a transverse partition located between its front and rearwalls, the band beingshouldered to receive the adjacent extremities ofthe sections, the latter being recessed to receive the edges of the saidpartition, panels for closing the chute sections in front and locatedapproxi-, mately in the plane of the said partition, and a'fasteningdevice located between'the'front wall of the securing band and engagingthe extremities of the said panels in the rear.

18. A- mail chute including two super-, posed'chute sections, a securingband for connecting the-adjacent extremities of the sections, the saidband having a transverse partition located between its front and rearwalls, the band being shouldered to receive the-adjacent extremities ofthe sections, the latter-being recessed to receive the edges of the saidpartition, panels -for closing the chute sections in front and locatedapproximately in the plane of the said partition, a fastening devicelocated between the front wall of the securing band and engaging theextremities of the said-panels in-the rear, and key operated meansfor-locking the said fastening device in place.

19. The combination of a chute section, a securing band surrounding theextremity of the section and having a partition transversely arrangedbetween its front and rear walls and approximately in the plane of thefront wall of the body of the chute section, the front wall of the saidband extending beyondthefsaid'partition, a panel for closing the body ofthe chute-in front and having one-extremity i-n engagement-with. saidpartitionand a fastening device interposed 20. Thecombinationof achutesection,-a

, securing bandsurrounding an extremity. of

the-section and shouldered [to receive the same, .the said band having apartition transversely-arranged;between its front and rear walls,andapproximately in the-plane of, the frontmall of the body ofthe-section, the front wall. of the band extending -for-' wardly beyondthe partition, -;a panel :for closing. the bodyof. the-section in frontand having one :extremity in engagement ,with' the:partition, and,a-fastening device located between the; front wall-of the secu-ringiband and the adjacent extremity of said panel.

21. A-mail chute sectionhavinga housing extending forwardly beyond thebody of the section, and a securing band passing around the extremity ofthe section .and having a. partition transversely arranged intermediateits front and rear walls.

22. A mail chute section having a housing extending forwardly beyond thebody of the section and a securing band passing around the extremity ofthe section and having a partition transversely arranged intermediateits front and rear walls, the extremity of the section being recessed onopposite sides to receive the edge of'said partition.

23. A mail chute section having a housing extending forwardly beyond thebody of the section, a securing band passing around the extremity of thesection and having a partition transversely arranged intermediate itsfront and rear walls, the securing band being shouldered to receive theextremity of the section, and the latter being recessed to receive theedges of the partition, -apanel for closing the section inv front, theframe of the panel being recessed to receive the adjacent edge of saidpart1- tion. 1 v

24-. The combination of a mail chute section having a housing extendingforwardly beyond the section, the section having outwardly extendingoffsets where the body and housing portions merge, a securing bandinclosing the extremity of the section and having a transverse partltionarranged approximately in the line of division between the body andhousing portions and a panel arranged approximately in the plane of saidpartition and recessed to receive the adjacent extremity thereof, thepanel engaging the said offsets in the rear.

- 25. The combination of a mail chute section having a housing extendingforwardly beyond the section, the sections having outwardly extendingoffsets where the body and housing portions merge, a securing bandinclosing the extremity of the section and having a transverse partitionarranged approximately in'the line of division between the body andhousing portions, a panel arranged approximately in the plane of saidpartition and recessed to receive the adjacent extremity thereof, thepanel engag-v ing the said oflsets in the rear, and a fastening devicelocated between the forward wall of the securing band and thepanel.

26. The combination of superposed mail chute sections, having forwardlyextending housing portions offset from the body of the sections toenlarge the housing portions, a securing band surrounding the adjacentextremities of the sections and having a partition transversely arrangedbetween its front and rear walls, the band being shouldered to receivethe extremities of the sections, the latter being recessed to receivethe edges of the said partition, panels for closing the body portions ofthe sections in front, the adjacent ends of the panels being recessed toreceive the partition of the securing band, and a fastening devicelocated between the front wall of the securing band, and the adjacentextremities of the panels and engaging the latter in securing relation.

27. A mail chute including two superposed "sections, a securing band forconnecting the adjacent extremities of the sections, the said bandhaving a partition trans. versely arranged between its front and rearwalls,-,the partition having an opening between its top and bottomedges, panels for the sections, the said panels engaging the top andbottom edges of the partition, and a fastening device located betweenthe front wall'of the band and the adjacent extremi ties of the panels,the'said device having a letter opening communicatingwith the opening inthe partition.

28. A mail chute including two superposed sections, a securing band forconnecting the adjacent extremities of the sections, the said bandhaving a partition transversely arranged between its front and rearwalls, the partition being open to form a passage for mail, panels forthe sections, the said panels engaging the partition, a fastening devicelocated between the front wall of the band and the adjacent extremitiesof the panels, the said fastening device having a letter openingcommunicating with the opening in the partition and being also equippedwitg. a holder adapted to retain a schedule car 29. A mail' chuteincluding two superposed sections, a securing band for connecting theadjacent extremities of the sections, the said band having a partitiontransversely arranged between its front and rear posed sections, asecuring band. for connecting the adjacent extremities'of the sections.the said band having a partition transversely arranged between its frontand rear walls, the partition having an opening between its top andbottom edges, panels for the sections, the said panels engaging the topand bottom edges of the partition, and a fastening devicelocated'between the front wall of the band and the adjacent extremitiesof the panels, the said device having a letter opening communicatingwith the opening in the partition, the said fastening device beingreversible to close the letter opening in the chute.

31. Amail chute including a chute section, a securing band surroundingthe extremity of the chute section and having a partition locatedbetween its front and rear walls the partition being open for letterreceiving purposes, a panel for the chute section and having oneextremity engaging the said partition, and a fastening device locatedbetween the front wall of the band and the said partition, the fasteningdevice having a letter opening at the top and a letter guide below saidopening to direct the letters into the partition I opening.

32. A mail chute includingachute section, a securing band surroundingthe extremity of the chute section and having a partition locatedbetween its front and rear walls, the said partition being open forletter receiving purposes, a panel for the chute section and having oneextremity engaging the said partition, and a fastening device locatedbetween the front wall of the band and the said partition, thefastening-device having a letter opening at the top and a letter guidebelow said opening to direct the letters into the partition opening, thefastening device being reversible toclose the letter opening.

33. A mail chute including a chute section, a securing band surroundingthe extremity of the chute section and having a.

partition located between its front and rear walls, the said partitionbeing open for letter receiving purposes, apanel for the chute sectionand having one extremity engaging the said partition, and a, fasteningdevice located between the front Wall of the band and the saidpartition, the fastening device having a letter opening at the top and aletter guide below said opening to direct the letters intothe partitionopening, the fastening device being reversible and the letter guide soarranged with reference to the partition as to prevent the introductionof mail into the chute channelfrom below.

34. A mail chute including a chute section, a securing bandsurroundingthe extremity of the chute section and having' a partition locatedbetween its front and rear walls, the said partition being open forletter receiving purposes, a panel for the chute, section and having oneextremity engaging the said partition, and a fastening device locatedbetween the front wall of the band and the said partition, the fasteningdevice having a letter opening at the top and a letter guide below saidopening to direct the letters into the partition opening, the fasteningdevice being reversible to. close the letter opening, and means forlocking the fastening device in place in either position of adjustment.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANGUS L. PEACOCK.

'Witnesses:

ANNA L. LEHMAN, A. J. OBRIEN.

